Michael Brooks
The Catholic University of America, established in 1889, is the nation's oldest Catholic research university. It was founded by the bishops of the United States and chartered by Pope Leo XIII as a graduate and research centre. The university is committed to being a comprehensive Catholic and American institution of higher learning, faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Church. The curriculum initially consisted of lectures in mental and moral philosophy, English literature, sacred scriptures, and theology. Today, the university has approximately 5,059 students enrolled across 12 schools, including architecture, arts and sciences, business and economics, canon law, engineering, and law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | The Catholic University of America |
| Year of Establishment | 1889 |
| Founder | Bishops of the United States |
| Sponsor | Pope Leo XIII |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Current Enrollment | Approximately 5,059 students |
| Undergraduate Enrollment | 2,929 |
| Graduate Enrollment | 2,130 |
| Number of Schools | 12 |
| Bachelor's Programs | More than 70 |
| Master's Programs | More than 100 |
| Doctoral Programs | More than 60 |
| Curriculum | Architecture and Planning, Arts and Sciences, Business and Economics, Canon Law, Engineering, Law, Professional Studies, Music-Drama-Art, Nursing, Philosophy, Social Service, and Theology and Religious Studies |
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What You'll Learn
Georgetown University: the first Catholic college in the US
Georgetown University, a private Jesuit research university in Washington, D.C., is the oldest Catholic institution of higher education in the United States. It was founded in 1789 by Bishop John Carroll, who was appointed the first head of the Catholic Church in the United States by Pope Pius VI at the recommendation of Benjamin Franklin. Carroll secured the deed to one acre of land on a hilltop in the village of Georgetown, overlooking the Potomac River, and finalised the purchase of the property on January 23, 1789. The university's main campus is still located on this site, which is identifiable by its National Historic Landmark, Healy Hall.
Georgetown College, as it was known initially, faced considerable financial strain in its early years. Classes began in 1792, with attendance growing to over 40 students within the first year, some travelling from as far away as the West Indies. The school's restoration began in 1805, supported by the Maryland Society of Jesus, and its Jesuit affiliation helped to bolster confidence in the college. In 1815, Georgetown received its congressional charter from President James Madison, becoming the first federally chartered university in the nation. This charter allowed the school to confer degrees, and the first bachelor's degrees were awarded in 1817.
The Civil War (1861-1865) almost closed Georgetown, with the student body dropping from 313 to just 17 students between 1859 and 1861. During the war, 1,141 students and alumni enlisted, serving in both the Union and Confederate forces, and several campus buildings were turned into temporary hospitals. The university continued to expand in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, establishing the School of Medicine in 1851, the Law School in 1870, the School of Dentistry in 1901, the School of Nursing in 1903, and the School of Foreign Service in 1919.
Today, Georgetown University has grown into a major international research institution with nine schools, an affiliated hospital, and numerous highly ranked academic programs. It enrols more than 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students from over 135 countries, offering degree programs in 48 disciplines. While the university was founded in the Jesuit tradition, only about 41% of the current student body identify as Catholic, with 22% identifying as Protestant as of 2009. Georgetown has always been open to people of all faiths and employs religious leaders from various traditions to serve the diverse religious needs of its students.
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Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College: the first Catholic women's college
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, originally a college exclusively for women, is the first Catholic women's college in the United States. Located in Indiana, it was founded by Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, who arrived at the site on October 22, 1840, after three months of travel from France. She led five Sisters of Providence, who established the college as an academy for young women.
Saint Mother Theodore Guerin was decorated by the French Board of Education as a highly gifted and efficient teacher. However, she initially felt unworthy of the task of founding an educational institution. Despite this, she persevered, and Saint Mary's Female Institute (the former name of SMWC), informally known as the Academy, opened on July 4, 1841. The college was granted a charter for the higher education of women in 1846, becoming the first institution in Indiana to do so.
The college has a rich history of empowering students and shaping the landscape of women's education and early Catholic education in America. It has helped students "Aspire Higher" by creating groundbreaking opportunities, such as being the first women's college to offer journalism courses and degree programs in secondary education, home economics, and secretarial science. These programs reflected a commitment to preparing women for expanding professional roles.
In recent years, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has expanded its educational offerings. Since 1984, the college has offered co-ed graduate programs, and in 2015, it opened its doors to both men and women in all of its programs, including traditional undergraduate campus-based programs. The college continues to offer a wide variety of majors through its Woods Online program, providing flexible educational opportunities for students.
Today, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is recognised as a pioneer in distance education, with a variety of academic programs and a commitment to helping students "Aspire Higher."
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Pope Leo XIII's support
The Catholic University of America, established in 1889, is the oldest Catholic research university in the nation. It was founded by the bishops of the United States and formally approved by Pope Leo XIII in 1887. The university is committed to being a comprehensive Catholic and American institution of higher learning.
In 1882, Bishop John Lancaster Spalding travelled to Rome to seek Pope Leo XIII's support for the university. He also persuaded Mary Gwendoline Caldwell, a family friend, to pledge $300,000 to establish the institution. Pope Leo XIII shared the bishops' vision and granted his approval. On April 10, 1887, he sent a letter to Cardinal James Gibbons, archbishop of Baltimore, giving his formal consent for the university's founding.
The university's mission, as defined by Pope Leo XIII, was to instruct Catholicism and human nature at the graduate level. The pope believed that by developing new leaders and knowledge, the university would strengthen and enrich Catholicism in the United States. This vision aligned with the bishops' desire to see the university become a flagship Catholic educational institution in the country.
The Catholic University of America officially opened its doors on November 13, 1889, with a curriculum consisting of lectures in mental and moral philosophy, English literature, sacred scriptures, and theology. The university has continued to grow and expand, offering a wide range of graduate and professional degree programs and maintaining its unique status as the bishops' university.
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Curriculum and subjects taught
The Catholic University of America, established in 1889, is the nation's oldest Catholic research university. It was founded by the bishops of the United States and chartered by Pope Leo XIII as a graduate and research centre. The curriculum at the time consisted of lectures in mental and moral philosophy, English literature, sacred scriptures, and theology. Over time, the curriculum expanded to include canon law.
Today, the university offers a comprehensive education with 12 schools, including architecture and planning, arts and sciences, business and economics, canon law, engineering, law, professional studies, music-drama-art, nursing, philosophy, social service, and theology and religious studies. The university offers over 70 bachelor's programs, 100 master's programs, and 60 doctoral programs.
The first Catholic college in the United States was founded at Georgetown in Washington, DC, in 1789. It remains one of the most prestigious colleges in the nation. The first Catholic women's college in the US was Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana, which was granted a charter for higher education for women in 1846.
The growth of Catholic education in the United States continued throughout the 20th century, with notable universities such as Sacred Heart University and Thomas Aquinas College being founded in the post-World War II era. Today, Catholic schools in the US continue to attract international students from diverse disciplines, including English, medicine, and business.
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The Catholic University of America today
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C. It is one of two pontifical universities in the United States and the only one that is not a seminary. CUA is the only institution of higher education founded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The university is committed to being a comprehensive, Catholic, and American institution of higher learning. It has approximately 5,059 students enrolled across its 12 schools, including architecture and planning, arts and sciences, business and economics, canon law, engineering, law, and theology and religious studies.
CUA offers a wide range of academic programs, emphasizing liberal arts, professional education, and personal development. The university is closely connected to the Catholic Church and Catholic organizations, such as the Knights of Columbus. It offers more than 70 bachelor's programs, more than 100 master's programs, and over 60 doctoral programs. The student-faculty ratio is 10:1, and the university has a semester-based academic calendar. The school's tuition and fees are $58,378, and 62% of first-year students receive need-based financial aid.
CUA's campus is located in the heart of Washington, D.C., just minutes away from downtown and three miles north of Capitol Hill. It spans 176 acres, making it the largest campus in the city. The campus is adjacent to the Brookland neighborhood, known as "Little Rome," which is home to 60 Catholic institutions. The campus provides a residential oasis for its students and is known for its lush, green landscapes and cherry blossoms.
CUA continues to be a flagship Catholic educational institution in the United States and maintains its unique status as the bishops' university. It combines world-class academics, individualized support, and unsurpassed internship opportunities to help students maximize their potential. The university believes in the compatibility of faith and reason and expresses its ideals through acceptance and service.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic University of America, founded in 1887 and opened in 1889, is the nation's oldest Catholic research university.
The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, D.C.
The first discussions about a national Catholic university took place at a meeting of U.S. bishops in 1866. The university was founded and sponsored by the bishops of the country with the approval of Pope Leo XIII.
